Core Valley Lines Drainage Survey & Design
The Project
The Core Valley Lines Transformation is a large-scale project that aims to improve and renew the railway lines in South Wales, making travel more sustainable and accessible for 1.5 million people in the area. Guided Rail were contracted to undertake drainage surveys and design a number of schemes on behalf of the engineering firm Amey.
The Problem
During the installation of the track renewal, an existing drainage system and headwall were covered by the track formation ballast. As a temporary measure to avoid the ballast getting into the drainage system, the headwall was temporarily supported with two 1 tonne bags.
Guided Rail looked at various options to resolve this issue and presented them back to the stakeholders. It was agreed that the preferred solution was to extend the drainage circa 42m and re-locate the headwall.
The Solution
The Outcome
This was a complex procedure as the embankment adjacent to the drainage was CAT C and at risk of collapse during the temporary works. To reduce the risk, cross sections were strategically cut at critical points on the drainage extension to show the installation contractor where the temporary support was critical.
Further discussions were ongoing at the time to review the wider off track drainage issues which our work played a key part in.